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What's Open on Christmas Day in NYC: A List of Awesome Things To Do
What's open on Christmas Day in New York City? Once the presents have been ripped open, the plastic packaging dismantled, and the batteries installed, you might need to get the kids out of the apartment. After all, dinner won't be ready for hours and the kids are full of holiday energy.
Some families have a Christmas Day tradition of enjoying Chinese food and a movie. But there are other fun things to do that are open on Christmas Day in NYC, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. Here are some fun things to do on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, in NYC. You can also pair an outing with a reservation at one of these restaurants open on Christmas—just make sure to book soon!
Find even more seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide or Family Activity Calendar.
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1. Winter Village at Bryant Park
This outdoor winter wonderland is open on Christmas Day. Go ice skating, sip on hot chocolate, and take in the magical decorations.
2. See a Broadway Show
While most Broadway shows are closed on Christmas Day, you can catch Chicago or Wicked on stage.
3. Attend a Religious Service
If you weren't able to go on Christmas Eve, churches are, of course, open on Christmas Day.
RELATED: 49 NYC Holiday Activities Every Kid Should Try Once
Experience the immersive observation deck at Summit One Vanderbilt. Photo by Jody Mercier
4. Play Tourist
Times Square's Madame Tussauds is open on Christmas Day. If you'd rather play games, the arcade/restaurant Dave & Buster's is open, too. You can also take in the stunning views from the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, Edge, and Summit One Vanderbilt.
5. See the Big Apple Circus
The Big Apple Circus plays two shows on the day. Pop over to Lincoln Center to see the beloved hometown troupe's ode to NYC, Hometown Playground.
6. Visit the Rockefeller Center Tree
It might be crowded, but why not begin a unique family tradition with a photo in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree on Christmas Day? The atmosphere is guaranteed to be festive.
7. Celebrate with the Rockettes
Enjoy a New York Christmas tradition and see the iconic Rockettes perform their annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular. They'll be high-kicking through four performances on the holiday!
8. See a Movie
Many movie theaters are open on Christmas Day so you can catch family-friendly recent releases like the much-anticipated Moana 2 or Wicked. Prefer to stay home? We've got picks for family-friendly Christmas movies. Of course, TBS returns with its 24-hour A Christmas Story marathon.
9. Visit the Zoo or Aquarium
Although the Bronx Zoo is closed for the holiday, the Queens, Central Park, and Prospect Park zoos are open, along with the New York Aquarium at Coney Island.
10. See Spectacular Holiday Houses
Take a drive through some of the outer boroughs to see magnificent light displays.
RELATED: 38 Things To Do Over Christmas Vacation in NYC
Gaze at the iconic Christmas tree as you glide around the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Center
11. Go Ice Skating
The rinks at Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, Prospect Park, Brookfield Place, Central Park's Wollman Rink, and Brooklyn Bridge Park's Roebling Rink are all open on Christmas Day, weather permitting. The indoor rink at World Ice Arena in Queens also has public ice skating on Christmas Day.
12. Visit a Winter Wonderland
Santa's Winter Wonderland and Jingle Jangle by the Dead Rabbit at Pier 17 are both open on the holiday, offering festive eats, fun attractions, and beautiful, seasonal photo-ops.
13. Visit a Jewish Museum
The Jewish Children's Museum is one of the few museums open on Christmas Day. It's got a ton of activities like mini-golf, a ball pit, wall-climbing, and interactive exhibits to help children learn about the Jewish religion and culture. You can also see a mash-up of Jewish and Christmas music at the Museum at Eldridge Street.
RELATED: Restaurants Open on Christmas in NYC
Experience the Tianyu Lights Festival at Citi Field on Christmas. Photo by Jody Mercier
14. Take a Trip to the Rainforest
The brilliant Tianyu Lights Festival welcomes visitors to follow Koda's journey to the rainforest via an interactive light trail.
15. Gawk at the Holiday Windows
We make our annual trek to see the holiday windows right after Thanksgiving. But time is swiftly running out to see these awe-inspiring displays before they come down for the season.
16. Go Sightseeing
Climb aboard the TopView Sightseeing Bus for a roving tea party or ride the North Pole Express to peep Christmas lights galore.
17. Go Bowling
Several of the city's bowling alleys are open on Christmas, including Bowlero Chelsea Piers and Bowlero Times Square. Abbreviated hours apply, so call ahead.
18. Take a Stroll
Enjoy a quiet Christmas stroll through one of the city's green spaces. Central Park, Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Van Cortlandt Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and all other NYC parks are open on Christmas.
19. Look at Lektrik
Go on an after-dark walk through the night sky—and the Queens Botanical Garden—at its Lektrik light installation.
This post, originally published in December 2009, is updated annually.
Places featured in this article:
Citi Field
Gershwin Theater
Museum at Eldrige Street
Prospect Park (at Grand Army Plaza)
Central Park
